Sensor designed actuators

Research Task/Objectives

Due to constantly increasing demands, i.e. on safety and functionality, the determination of characteristic values of valves becomes more important. By using self-sensing position determination, the armature position is provided without using position sensor. Due to inherent correlations, this method is only based on current and voltage measurements. Since actual solenoids are developed for actuator functionality, there are drawbacks at self-sensing position determination caused by influence of non-linear effects resulting in ambiguous position allocation.

The aim of this work is improvement of sensor characteristics of valve solenoids by using systematic adaption of solenoid’s design and control, in order to increase the operating range as well as accuracy of position determination.

Approach/Results

In order to cover the variety of valves, two example solenoids are analysed by using FEM simulations with respect to its inherent correlations especially by considering the non-linear effects. Potential drawbacks are shown and solutions for an improved behaviour are developed. Therefore, solenoid’s design, magnetic material and control are varied.

Based on the investigations and the shown potential improvements, an adequate solution will be developed. This means an improved sensor ability, but also remaining of actuator functionality. The new design will be build up as demonstrator for verify the potentials. Furthermore, control and evaluation algorithm are refined for industrial usability.

The project 19093 BR/1 was financed and supervised by the Research Association Mechanical Engineering – FKM, Lyoner Straße 18, 60528 Frankfurt am Main. In the scope of the Programme to promote Industrial Collective Research it was funded by the German Federation of Industrial Research Associations (AiF) with means of the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) on the basis of a decision by the German Bundestag.